shakti play

what life is not,
is that which mind speaks of
a shadow or a ray
that personalizes all that is seen
and heard and felt
life is not this
dear souls,
it is the shakti play
in all her wondrous ways
it is the leela
the dawn of colors and
dancing appearances
that is imbedded eternally in truth
which is non-dual
this is what is the living dance
it is forever playing it's tune
it is endless in nature
and not to be attached to
or taken in as a thing to be owned
oh dear souls, how very wrong this is
for all that plays is the
absolute perfection
it cannot be separate from it
it has it's life from this
it has it's death in this
it has it's creation from this
it has it's mystery in this
yes, indeed
it is the shakti play
love it as a witness
not like a one that is *lost* in it
oh friend,
love it as a silent witness
then this world will not wreak havoc
on your soul

she lives...

listen, 

she is this life pure 

oh love 

yes 

she is this one heart indeed 

she lives to make you well and whole 

she lives to free the soul from bondage 

she lives to breath fire into your heart to make 

you die a beautiful death 

and then rise like christ rose as a spirit 

that was not to be touched by the world 

or suffering 

she lives in you friend 

inside the heart and she is still always 

like pristine waters 

she lives there still like the moment untouched 

she lives there still like music without a singer 

she lives there still like the full moon without cloud cover 

she lives there still like mind in it's original state

she lives there still like shiv and shakti in union

she lives there still like night made day

she lives there still like forgotten suffering 

she lives there still like mouna 

she lives there still like the majestic mountain

she lives there still like kali in her naked state 

she lives there still like freedom made manifest 

she lives there still like brahman, buddha, christ and God 

she lives there still like a sinless presence 

she lives there still like timeless purity

she lives there still like ardhanarishvara

she lives there still like a dreamless sleep

she lives there still like a dreamless reality 

she lives there still like a dreamless ocean of one 

she lives there still like a sun full, with great rays of light 

she lives there still like a tree of knowledge 

she lives there still like the impersonal one 

she lives there still like love undivided 

she lives there still like love without attachment 

she lives there still like love that winds it's way thru

all things seen and unseen

she lives there still like a united heart that has nothing 

but joy within it 

she lives there still like a sunset ablaze with life and colors 

so rich that one cannot look at it without feeling her presence 

she lives there still like a river that runs without encumberments,

but flows joyously on and on without end 

she lives there still like a fresh breath of air that gives of itself 

and keeps giving and giving 

she is like this my dear heart and how she does not take anything 

but the suffering away when the heart is open 

and rejoicing in her

she loves all that are open to her, (and loves all that are closed in heart as well )

but when the one that is open comes fully to her love 

that is made of beauty and truth only

she will bless this one well and give what is needed to burn the 

separate identity to ash…

there is no understanding her way as she is the fullness of all

how is the mind to understand this? something that is beyond the limits 

that mind places on the soul?

when one is open to her, she will be right there immediately like an 

angel of light 

she will be right there as a graceful presence and take and take the 

barriers away that make one feel they are separate from God

for this is not right to believe that one is separate and is like a body 

and mind 

this is not well at all precious ones 

but she will say to you with quietude and joy that you are one always 

and you are like a still beautiful glow that is filled with rich wisdom

she will say this with stillness…. this is how she speaks always to you

that you are free now and always 

you are without thought and without worry and without doubts in truth 

and you are like a light that is filled with joy

she is speaking this way now to you dear 

can you feel it?

can you taste it?

can you see it?

can you touch it?

can you savor it?

can you love it?

can you breath it?

can you let this be how it is?

can you forget yourself and let her be and let her speak to that which is always whole?

can you?

When Buddha walked the earth...

when buddha walked the earth

he put his baggage by the roadside 

and did not return there to pick it up

he walked thru the dark forest
of sensual experience

and sat by the wild animals 

and drank from the rivers 

and ate of the earth and shrubs 

and bruised his body on the rocks 

and forgot his past 

and forgot the world that spoke of attachments 

and dreams of this and that 

had he not walked into this jungle 

to find his pure soul,

where would he be?

a king for awhile that had all the things 

that money could by 

and all the luxuries and all at hand that 

was beautiful to touch and taste and experience 

but instead he chose the hard road of the mystic 

because in him blazed the fire of a seeker that 

was burning to know the truth 

when he was a boy he would sit by the trees 

and sit in meditation 

he would wonder about what the world was 

composed of... what it was made of... 

was it a solid thing?

was it something that could be held tightly to?

or was it as a dream that faded in the mist? 

how he wondered so many things like this

and felt his heart's desire becoming stronger 

to seek out the source of all..

then when all were asleep in their dreams 

and he was old enough 

he stole out into the night with his horse and companion

he did not look back or bemoan what he left 

he was as a mystic that would not be turned 

on the wrong roads 

what is this like my friends?

it is like a man that has in him what it takes to persevere 

and to not be persuaded to follow shadows and dark alleys 

that lead to perishable understanding 

for the heart is like the fire that consumes all other

and it is where the mind is to be focused 

when he sat under the bodhi tree

his mind was not looking back or forward 

but inward 

and he became the self of all

he was like the truth 

he was non-dual in nature 

and preserved eternally as this 

what has this to do with you dear souls? 

but to know he found the light unto himself 

that is the same within all

and this is where one is to sit and breathe and be 

like buddha all are awake inside eternally 

and to discover it

one must let go of the false shades of mind 

like this one that sat under the tree of knowledge 

how it is like this 

when one allows the tree of knowledge
to give cooling peace
to a mind that has been in the heat of the search so very long

and my friends 

did buddha worry about his comforts or what was to give him

pleasure or pain or make his life just right? 

he did not 

he lived in the open with no walls to hide behind or doors to lock

as the consciousness is vast like this without end 

without borders 

he lived in the open like being transparent and not seeking private space 

inside yourself to hide away in

and when he walked, he was barefoot on the earth with nothing separating 

his soul from the universe 

and when he ate, he ate what came to him no matter what it was 

he did not think about what he wanted or turn away what he didn't want 

this is a mind that is within equanimity always

not saying all the time within; this is good and that is bad

and this is right and that is wrong 

and when he spoke, his words flowed out spontaneously without thought 

like the river of grace that flows without obstructions 

and when he bathed, he bathed in the rivers or the rain washed his form

of dirt and mud 

as this is what came as grace from the universal mother to wash away the dross

with this blessing of being fully without covers and concealments 

he sat under the bodhi tree or the tree of great knowledge 

and sat and sat and sat 

and what he found there, was his mind that was cast in shadows 

of this and that 

separated out like rays of concepts and thoughts and all the rest 

but he did not look to the thoughts that chanted and tempted 

he looked to his own soul that was pure 

and with this seeing directly experienced the source 

and when he got up to move into the world

he was not in it like before

but purified as God is within light, love and quietude 

as this was what was always present, and not found like something new 

purity of consciousness forever lives here

never will it go away

how glorious is this 

and this time now, stillness is
be within it 

heart of all 

be here 

beyond body and mind….

seeker, lay your burden down 

and let the grace of all move the being 

to stillness

for grace is the only thing that makes it right 

this is the reality 

the body is simply a vehicle of experience and 

is inert, insentient and cannot be the doer or the 

one that gives life force …

the mind, it cannot be the doer either for it is 

like a moving current that changes all the while 

and has within it nothing lasting that can be 

put in front of one and say "here it is!"….

this is what is to be seen sturdy souls 

see the movement with detachment and 

wisdom instead of getting lost there …

for in this movement, thoughts jostle and play about 

and are empty always, always …

grace though, it is the freedom that gives of itself 

it has within it love undivided and wisdom that 

is pure and holy and without the least stain of 

of the personal way...

the sadhu he is a one that walks the path

with his staff and gourd and robes of ochre 

he lives and breathes reality 

in his mind there is the driving desire to be free

from the transient way

and in his heart too, there lives this fire that burns 

he lives in the caves and lights the dhuni fire that 

is always burning bright 

this fire is the atman to him and it is what is to 

be entered into with love and courage 

he sits by it and chants or sleeps or eats or 

performs austerities 

he is not to be taken in by the ones that are masquerading 

as sadhus for this would be such a disgrace 

he wears his hair in dreadlocks of shaves it or 

keeps it long, it makes no difference 

his body is sometimes very lean and unkempt 

but it matters not, for he is not this mass of bones and flesh

and impurities ever and he is to know this well

when he sit on the ghats in the evening light or in 

the early morning he is well aware of death and how it 

comes to all without discrimination

the burial grounds are showing of this way that life has

how it gives and takes all at the same time …

in relation to the body, it comes into the world 

out of the womb of the mother…

and begins it's journey with eyes that are 

most often pure in the beginning, but tarnished by desire 

in time due to identification with the body...  

in time though, (sooner or later), the body begins it's descent 

downward and eventually it is taken away and buried or burned

or left out for the creatures to eat or what have you…

the sadhu he watches this type of thing and when this burning 

desire ignites with the feeling of death and seizes him
greatly -- then the mind is shocked into 

thinking that there is an end to it …

like Ramana who laid down at his uncles house as he was overcome 

by the feeling that he was to die and he went thru the death process --
the spontaneous inquiry came; "who dies?", "what dies?"..

with a flash he felt the "I" to be separate from the body and he 

knew without a doubt that he was not this body that walked around 

and talked and ate and all of this …

he was the absolute reality … this came to him not with a thought process,

but with an understanding that was not of mind …
like Guru too… she was sitting on the banks of the

ganges and understood her efforts were done on this journey and there was nothing
more that could be done … then she said, "on the altar of truth, i lay myself"…
and there was a great fear that arose, then the death experience came to her
and she was pulled into the absolute reality…. 

(which she has spoken so many times about)….
and after realization, went on to be a mentor to many going thru
kundalini, always making the pointing to stay in the heart and within
quietude…

Ramana also spoke about letting go of the world 

and being in the heart …

this is what is to be seen and lived 

the heart is the soul fire of all

it is on the right side of the chest, but not really a local point that 

can be identified with -- it is truly not physical -- it is the absolute 

which is bodiless…

the right side is simply a way to say that one is truly the heart …

not the head, not the thoughts, not the playing out of the world …

but the heart, hridayam  = "heart am I" as Ramana says so perfectly….

-maha shanti om-

life awaits...

know my friends
that one is to be *living* the truth
this is so very different than an understanding
of it
this is so very different than being separate from it
for the mind will do this
make distinctions and separate out a you
from all else that lives
this is the trick that it plays
like a room of mirrors that eludes itself
always
and in this room of mirrors, there is no truth
to be found
only a revolving wheel of thoughts and all that
comes with this …
but when the mind stops this revolving and comes
to rest in the heart
then and only then is there peace and what is seen
is not separate, but the same in all directions and at all times
and under all conditions
then and only then, there is stillness that forgets the world
with all it's miseries and events that happened to a persona
then and only then, the mind is cleared of all obstructions
and misunderstandings that have been collected due to clinging
to this false notion of individuality...
so very much like a ghost of sorts (this false sense) that rises and attaches to the form
but in itself it is formless and is not at all real or solid
this is the reality
and having no place to attach, when the mind is purified, this energy
will die away like mist in the morning light
for it is not able to withstand forever
this light of love that is God, Guru, Allah, Brahman, Absolute
or whatever name one wants to call it
it is the absolute reality that is ONE and undivided and without end and without
beginning and most importantly without suffering, fetters, bindings, attachments
nothing like this ever existed in this perfection
and this perfection (the absolute)
is what is to be entered into with courage and heart and love

oh my friend
i know you to be well and out of suffering
always and forever
you are the burning atman, the fire of allah
the mountain steady and filled with majesty
you are the prince of peace
like Christ
how he came to free the souls that thirsted for clear waters
he came like a prince and was crucified by the ones that loved
him in the beginning even
how very sad indeed
but, the bright note is always that Christ showed the way to the eternal
to the holy of holiest, the one, the sun that sits glorious and filled with light
and love and purity
is this not a beautiful thing?

sons and daughters,
seat yourself by the waters of joy
this evening,
the sky is filled with colors of bright hue that have only
been spun by the heart
the earth, so filled with riches… deep and wonderful mysteries
lie there awaiting new birth always
the ocean, spreading far and wide with rolling waves
that sing so joyous
and the life within it how filled with abundance!
the children running about and playing in the light that
dances by the shore and in the breeze fresh with warmth
the hills too are filled with the call of the earth and the wild creatures
how free they roam about, laying their heads in the dirt at night, filled with
the song of life
in the jungle, what wonders are there!
animals of such power and strength and such rich greenery and dancing mysteries...
in you too, this life dances my friends…like all that live and all that have died
and all that are to come…
no one is left out of this life that gives of itself… and leaves the man to seek his heart
if he so chooses…
this is the beauty of life… to choose to walk the journey of heart… to be set free of shadow
to never call it back to the soul…
yes, indeed, this is the greatest opportunity…
and those that continue, how blessed are they?
these ones are to know in time the non-dual treasure that sits like a beautiful gem
splendid and without comparison
eventually, this is the reality...the best of the best awaits
but know dear ones, that this reality is here and now and not out there like a thing to be
taken and possessed… this is so very false…
the ego wants to own this treasure and it cannot, not now, not ever…
so do not be deluded by this type of thinking…
it is the ego that is to die completely away before life is…
before this perfection can be made manifest…


...and so the journey continues…

steady, ever steady….

it takes such a strong will

to pass beyond mind into liberation

but strong will is indeed what is needed 

for the mind is so very much soaked into the soul

(or this thought of being a body with a separate existence)

and this is what needs to be rooted out without a drop

of this feeling remaining 

for if there are seeds of desire/attachment remaining 

then these can sprout up again and sprout they will

if watered with attention 

this is why it is so important to look within and be vigilant 

with the mind by utilizing the practices given by Guru

and continuing steadily without being pulled by so, so many

thoughts 

if one can be patient and continue through all experiences 

that come 

and stay with it 

then there will be fruit to enjoy

the mind will not stop it's course without the strong force of 

grace which is embodied in Guru

but for this force to penetrate deeply, one is to be still

and not driven by anxiety or looking always for pleasurable 

experiences… you see, this is so selfish (which is the way of ego nature)

ego is indeed a selfish energy that all the time whines for *me, me -- i i*

this is what is to be seen my friends and seen well…

for this ego will rise up strong when given attention and nurtured.. 

when the will is strong to go beyond this energy that has been 

seen to bind and bring suffering, then one will not be distracted no

matter what comes or goes….

my friends, there cannot be an understanding of what a great treasure 

stillness is until this beauty is experienced deeply…

then and only then will one know the treasure there …

and as all the sages say, stillness is the only way to be out of suffering 

and without karma and all of the cycling that comes there …

the mind cannot go beyond mind, not ever --

nor can there be an intellectual understanding or insight about what is 

being spoken of 

so friends be quiet --- and when mind is in place drown it in the practices 

and stay steady, every steady…

om shanti

here, now

oh joy,

this time is the now

like the earth song so filled with divinity

like the mother love that carries not a drop of 

suffering with it 

for it lives forever 

like her (the mother) she lives on and on 

as an angel of truth and as an angel of light 

like this, but not as something to be seen

by the eyes 

for you to see her rightly go to the waters of light 

where all is to be made clean

and this untruth is to be taken away

the untruth that speaks of other 

as you go to this water, know that it will rinse the 

mind clean of shadow which is mistaken knowledge

this knowledge is not real

not now, not ever 

it is like a pollution to the soul, so out of tune 

is it with the one 

and how it drives the soul to be out of truth

do not be afraid ever of this energy

for it is not real by any means 

it is like an empty playing out 

that comes from nothing 

know that the waters will drown this foe (ego)

he is not a friend of yours 

he is like a thorn on your skin that pricks and burns 

badly

and with this movement (of ego), sorrow is born to you

but oh friend, have no fear

go to the waters in yourself that are clear and made of 

beauty only

and know that when the mind is rinsed, all the dream risings 

will come forward in a gush to be washed away

this is quite normal

do not fear this type of uprising -- stay in the heart and be 

as a still one 

and forget yourself and what is to come and not come 

for you cannot say in yourself what is to be 

only God knows this 

not you for sure 

and what is to come is what is to come 

it will be no matter what you haveto say about it 

it is like a trick to think you know the next step

so instead, why not be quiet with what is here? 

this flow of life, so present and wondrous 

yet not apart from anything 

the mind will have it's time to dance -- it is this way

but it has an end to it 

it has an end, and then the beginning of life is 

known

but this is not a beginning as the mind thinks it is 

for pure life always IS 

and mind truly has not ever lived 

not even for a moment as a true entity

for it dies away -- it dissolves away and is no more 

oh my friend, 

yes, know this reality and stay in this moment 

here, now
this moment
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